Text reads: Once there was a king who had a beautiful diamond. But this beautiful diamond had a flaw, a scratch in the middle. The king sent word throughout the kingdom that great riches would come to anyone who could rid the diamond of this flaw. Gem cutters, jewelry makers, and artisans from around the kingdom came to the castle, but no one could erase the diamond’s scratch. Finally, a young woman came and announced that she could make the diamond even more beautiful than ever. Everyone scoffed as she disappeared into the kingdom, but they gasped with awe when she came out and presented the king with the stone. The scratch was still in the diamond, but it was indeed more beautiful than ever before. For in the center of the diamond, the young woman had carved a beautiful flower, using the scratch for the stem.

The installation at New Life Hospice

Artist's Statement

I began creating mandalas in an attempt to regenerate myself after a series of losses. The circle, as a symbol of possibility, would pull me into the sacred center where spiritual truth became visible. While the mandalas reflected a truth for me, others began making comments about how they too experienced healing and transformation while viewing them.
There are a variety of tools one can use to create “perfect” circles and lines, my mandalas are created using unassuming utensils—kitchen plates, saucers, and cups; watercolor pencils; a fine-tipped black permanent marker; and a meditative state that takes me deeply into the familiar. Their simplicity speaks to the innate perfection of our daily life.
May all beings be happy, may all beings be well.

Ordering Information

My mandala cards are available at Ginko Gallery in Oberlin, Ohio. If you are interested in ordering a framed mandala, or having a custom mandala created for you, please contact me either by email: kathleen.abromeit@oberlin.edu or telephone: 440-774-1096